May 21 (Bloomberg) -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan
ordered the release of some suspected terrorists, including all
women, said Chris Olukolade, a Defense Ministry spokesman.

The decision was made to “enhance peace efforts in the
country,” Olukolade said today in an e-mailed statement. It
follows a decision by Jonathan to impose emergency rule in the
northeastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa on May 14 and
start a military campaign against Boko Haram Islamist
insurgents.

The air and ground offensive by troops of Africa’s largest
oil producer “destroyed all terrorist camps” in parts of the
northeast and drove away militants, some of whom are fleeing to
Chad and Niger, Olukolade said.

Jonathan set-up a committee last month to draft a plan to
grant amnesty to fighters from Boko Haram and disarm its members
over a 60-day period. The decision to free some suspects held in
connection with terrorist activities was in response to a
recommendation by the panel, Olukolade said.

Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, said the group won’t
accept a government amnesty. The militants have fought a violent
campaign since 2009 to establish Islamic rule that has claimed
thousands of lives.